Information processing device and information processing method for correcting orientation of images

ABSTRACT

An information processing device includes: a generation unit generating a sample image showing each of a first surface and a second surface that are next to each other of a label attachment target object having a plurality of surfaces, and a first image and a second image allocated to the first surface and the second surface, respectively, in association with each other; and a display processing unit performing control to display, on a display unit, a print setting screen for a printer printing a label, the print setting screen including the sample image.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JPApplication Serial Number 2020-038525, filed Mar. 6, 2020, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, aninformation processing method, and a program.

2. Related Art

According to the related art, a printer printing a label to be attachedto a solid object such as a box is known. JP-A-2012-88936 discloses atechnique for causing a display of a print content by a printer toreflect a print color or a tape color.

In some cases, a label may be attached, extending over a plurality ofsurfaces of a solid object. Also, in some cases, the orientation of thelabel should be different from one surface to another. In such cases,according to the related-art technique, images in different orientationsfrom one surface to another need to be combined together to prepare oneimage.

SUMMARY

An information processing device according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure for achieving the foregoing object includes: a generationunit generating a sample image showing each of a first surface and asecond surface that are next to each other of a label attachment targetobject having a plurality of surfaces, and a first image and a secondimage allocated to the first surface and the second surface,respectively, in association with each other; and a display processingunit performing control to display, on a display unit, a print settingscreen for a printer printing a label, the print setting screenincluding the sample image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a label generation system.

FIG. 2 shows a label and a label attachment target object.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an imposition setting screen.

FIG. 4 explains orientations of an image.

FIG. 5 explains processing of adjusting an image position and sizeaccording to the width of a margin.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing label generation processing.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a label generation system according toa second embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows the data configuration of an orientation decision table.

FIG. 9 explains a label and an orientation of an image.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a surface designation screen.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing label generation processing according tothe second embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of a label generation system accordingto a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 explains letter string adjustment processing.

FIG. 14 shows a label according to another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in thefollowing order.

-   (1) Configuration of Label Generation System According to First    Embodiment-   (2) Label Generation Processing According to First Embodiment-   (3) Second Embodiment-   (4) Label Generation Processing According to Second Embodiment-   (5) Third Embodiment-   (6) Other Embodiments

(1) Configuration of Label Generation System According to FirstEmbodiment

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a label generation system 1according to a first embodiment. The label generation system 1 has aprinter 10 and an information processing device 20. The printer 10 andthe information processing device 20 are coupled in such a way as to beable to communicate with each other via a network. The informationprocessing device 20 is equipped with a printer driver and instructs theprinter 10 to print. The printer 10 prints a label according to aninstruction from the information processing device 20. In thisembodiment, it is assumed that a label printed by the printer 10 isattached, extending over two surfaces of a solid object having aplurality of surfaces. Hereinafter, the solid object to which a label isattached is referred to as a label attachment target object. In thisembodiment, an example case where the label attachment target object isa rectangular parallelepiped is described.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a label and a label attachment target object.As shown in FIG. 2, a label 30 is attached, extending over two surfacesthat are next to each other of a label attachment target object 40 inthe shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. In the example shown in FIG.2, the label 30 is attached, extending over a first surface 41 and asecond surface 42, which are side surfaces next to each other of thelabel attachment target object 40. In this embodiment, for the sake ofconvenience of the description, a long side of the label 30 is referredto as a horizontal side, and a short side is referred to as a verticalside. A first image 31 is arranged in an area attached to the firstsurface 41, of the label 30. A second image 32 is arranged in an areaattached to the second surface 42, of the label 30. In this embodiment,it is assumed that the label 30 is a horizontally long rectangular printmedium and that the first image 31 and the second image 32 arranged onthe label 30, too, are horizontally long rectangular images.

Back to FIG. 1, the printer 10 has a processor 11, a non-volatile memory12, a communication unit 13, a user interface (UI) unit 14, and aprinting unit 15. The processor 11 has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like,not illustrated. The processor 11 executes various programs stored inthe non-volatile memory 12 and thus can control each part of the printer10. The processor 11 may be formed of a single chip or a plurality ofchips. Also, for example, an ASIC may be employed instead of the CPU.The processor 11 may also be configured of a CPU and an ASIC cooperatingwith each other.

The communication unit 13 includes a communication interface forcommunicating with an external device according to various wired orwireless communication protocols. The communication unit 13 alsoincludes an interface for communicating with various removable memoriesinstalled in the printer 10. The printer 10 can communicate with theinformation processing device 20 via the communication unit 13.

The UI unit 14 includes a touch panel display and various keys, switchesand the like. The touch panel display has a display panel displayingvarious kinds of information under the control of the processor 11 and atouch detection panel superimposed on the display panel, and detects atouch operation by a human finger or the like. The processor 11 canacquire the content of an operation by a user via the UI unit 14. Theprocessor 11 can also display various kinds of information on the touchpanel display of the UI unit 14 and thus notify the user.

The printing unit 15 executes printing on various print media, usingvarious printing methods such as an inkjet method or anelectrophotographic method. The printing unit 15 prints under thecontrol of the processor 11 and according to a print job received fromthe information processing device 20. The printing unit 15 prints alabel as described above.

The information processing device 20 has a processor 21, a non-volatilememory 22, a communication unit 23, and an UI unit 24. The processor 21has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM and the like, not illustrated. The processor 21executes various programs stored in the non-volatile memory 22 and thuscan control each part of the information processing device 20. Theprocessor 21 may be formed of a single chip or a plurality of chips.Also, for example, an ASIC may be employed instead of the CPU. Theprocessor 21 may also be configured of a CPU and an ASIC cooperatingwith each other.

The communication unit 23 includes a communication interface forcommunicating with an external device according to various wired orwireless communication protocols. The information processing device 20can communicate with the printer 10 via the communication unit 23.

The UI unit 24 includes a display unit, a keyboard, a mouse and thelike. The processor 21 can acquire the content of an operation by a uservia the UI unit 24. The processor 21 can also display various kinds ofinformation on the display unit of the UI unit 24 and thus notify theuser.

The processor 21 performs processing of controlling label printing bythe printer 10. To this end, the processor 21 executes a printer driver,not illustrated, stored in the non-volatile memory 22. By executing theprinter driver, the processor 21 functions as a communication processingunit 211, a display processing unit 212, an acceptance unit 213, and ageneration unit 214.

The communication processing unit 211 is a function of performingcontrol to transmit and receive information to and from the printer 10via the communication unit 23. With the function of the communicationprocessing unit 211, the processor 21 transmits, for example, print datafor printing a label to the printer 10.

The display processing unit 212 is a function of displaying variouskinds of information on the display of the UI unit 24. With the functionof the display processing unit 212, the processor 21 performs control todisplay, for example, an imposition setting screen 400 shown in FIG. 3and sample images shown in FIG. 4, on the display unit. Each screen willbe described later.

The acceptance unit 213 is a function of accepting various instructionsor the like via the UI unit 24. That is, with the function of theacceptance unit 213, the processor 21 accepts various instructionscorresponding to user operations. The acceptance unit 213 also accepts adesignation of an image allocated to each attachment surface of thelabel. The acceptance unit 213 also accepts a designation of anorientation of an image included in the label, a width of a marginbetween images included in the label, and the like. The orientation ofan image is the correspondence between the label and the orientation ofthe image. In this embodiment, a direction from top to bottom set for animage is referred to as a downward direction. The downward direction inthe label can be arbitrarily set. However, in this embodiment, thedirection of the short side of the label 30 shown in FIG. 2 is definedas the downward direction. The image allocated to the attachment surfaceis a rectangular image. When appropriate, an image in which the downwarddirection is parallel to the long sides of the image is referred to avertically long image, and an image in which the downward direction isparallel to the short sides of the image is referred to as ahorizontally long image.

The generation unit 214 is a function of generating a sample imageshowing each of images allocated to a first surface and a secondsurface, respectively, and the first surface and the second surface, inassociation with each other. The processor 21 generates a sample imageof a label according to an instruction accepted via the function of theacceptance unit 213. After an image is selected, the image may beadjusted from a vertically long image to a horizontally long image orfrom a horizontally long image to a vertically long image due to achange in the orientation of the image via the function of theacceptance unit 213. In this case, the processor 21 adjusts the size ofthe image, that is, reduces the size of the image so that the image fitswithin the area of the adjusted image. Specifically, the processor 21reduces the image at a magnification of the short side of the imagedivided by the long side of the image. When an image has a blank andeliminating the blank enables the image to fit within the area of theadjusted image, the processor 21 may eliminate the blank in the image.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the imposition setting screen 400. Theimposition setting screen 400 is a print setting screen displayed by theprinter driver. When, with the function of the acceptance unit 213, adesignation of an image allocated to each attachment surface of thelabel is accepted and an instruction to display the imposition settingscreen 400 is also accepted, the processor 21 displays the impositionsetting screen 400 on the display unit. In the imposition setting screen400, a first image 411 allocated to a first surface in response to auser operation is displayed above a first surface icon 401 indicatingthe first surface of the label attachment target object. Also, a secondimage 412 allocated to a second surface in response to a user operationis displayed above a second surface icon 402 indicating the secondsurface of the label attachment target object. In this way, theprocessor 21 displays a sample image showing each of the first surfaceand the second surface of the label attachment target object, and theimages allocated to the first surface and the second surface,respectively, in association with each other.

On the imposition setting screen 400, the user can check the orientationof the image on each attachment surface of the label. That is, the firstimage 411 and the second image 412 are displayed in an orientation inwhich these images are allocated to the label when the downwarddirection in the imposition setting screen 400 (downward direction inFIG. 3) is the downward direction in the label. As shown in FIG. 3, inthe initial state of the imposition setting screen 400, the downwarddirection in the first image 411 and the second image 412 is set to beparallel to the up-down direction in the imposition setting screen 400.

The orientation of each of the images 411, 412 in the label can bechanged in response to a user operation on the imposition setting screen400. In the imposition setting screen 400, rotation menus 421, 422 fordesignating the rotation of the first image 411 and the second image 412allocated to the first surface and the second surface, respectively, aredisplayed as well. The user can select an angle via the rotation menus421, 422, thus rotate each image, and change the orientation of theimage.

For example, it is now assumed that a 90-degree clockwise rotation ofthe second image 412 is designated via the rotation menu 422 in theimposition setting screen 400. In this case, the processor 21 accepts adesignation of an orientation of the second image 412. Then, with thefunction of the generation unit 214, the processor 21 rotates the secondimage 412 in a sample image 410 by 90 degrees, updates the second image412 to a second image 462 including an image formed by reducing thesecond image 412 at a predetermined rate of reduction, and thus forms asample image 460, as shown in FIG. 4. The predetermined rate ofreduction is, for example, “the short side of the image divided by thelong side of the image”. Similarly, when a 180-degree rotation isdesignated, the processor 21 updates the second image 412 to a secondimage 472, which is the second image 412 rotated by 180 degrees, andthus forms a sample image 470, as shown in FIG. 4. When a 270-degreerotation is designated, the processor 21 rotates the second image 412 by270 degrees, updates the second image 412 to a second image 482 reducedat a predetermined rate of reduction, and thus forms a sample image 480,as shown in FIG. 4. While the rotation of the second image is describedhere, the orientation of the first image 411 is similarly changedaccording to a designation via the rotation menu 421.

When the processor 21 accepts, for example, a designation of a 90-degreerotation, displays the sample image 460, and subsequently accepts adesignation of a 180-degree rotation, the processor 21 rotates thesecond image 462 by 90 degrees and enlarges the second image at 1divided by the predetermined rate of reduction. In this way, theprocessor 21 accepts a designation of an orientation of at least one ofthe two images included in the label. The processor 21 then generates asample image including the image in the designated orientation.

Also, a margin setting area 430 is provided in the imposition settingscreen 400. The user can input a width of a margin 431 between the firstimage 411 and the second image 412, in the margin setting area 430. Inthe initial state, it is assumed that a reference width, which is apredetermined margin width, is set.

The necessary margin varies depending on the curvature or the like ofthe curved surface at the boundary between two surfaces of the labelattachment target object. The user can input a desired margin widthaccording to the curvature or the like. When the user inputs a marginwidth, the processor 21 accepts the designation of the margin width withthe function of the acceptance unit 213. Then, with the function of thegeneration unit 214, the processor 21 adjusts the size of the firstimage 411 and the second image 412 according to the margin width. Theadjustment of the position and size of an image will now be described.FIG. 5 shows the label 30. In this embodiment, the two images 31, 32 arearranged in the label 30 and a reference width is set for a margintherebetween in the initial state. However, when the margin width ischanged to a smaller value, the respective images 31, 32 are changed tosuch a position that the distance between a centerline 36 in thehorizontal direction of the label 30 and the vertical side closer to thecenterline 36 of each of the image 31, 32 is ½ of the designated marginwidth.

Meanwhile, when the margin width is changed to a larger value, each ofthe images 31, 32 is reduced at a magnification expressed by thefollowing formula.{(the length of the horizontal side of the image)−(the amount ofincrease in the margin due to change)/2}/(the length of the horizontalside of the image)  (1)

As described above, the information processing device 20 of theembodiment generates a sample image of a label showing each of a firstsurface and a second surface that are next to each other of a labelattachment target object and a first image and a second image allocatedto these surfaces, in association with each other. The informationprocessing device 20 then displays a print setting screen including thesample image. This enables the user to easily imagine the state where animage included in a label is attached to a label attachment targetobject and to easily generate a label where an image is arranged in adesired orientation.

The information processing device 20 can also adjust the orientation ofan image on the imposition setting screen. That is, the orientation ofan image included in a label can be adjusted simply by giving aninstruction to rotate the image in a sample image, without performingthe work of generating an image of a label where an image is arranged ina desired orientation.

(2) Label Generation Processing According to First Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing label generation processing by theinformation processing device 20. In response to a user operation, theprocessor 21 of the information processing device 20 accepts adesignation of an image to be displayed as a label via the function ofthe acceptance unit 213 (S100). Next, the processor 21 generates asample image where a first image and a second image are allocated to afirst surface and a second surface, respectively, via the function ofthe generation unit 214 (S105). Next, the processor 21 displays theimposition setting screen 400 including the sample image (S110).

Next, the processor 21 accepts a user operation. When the user gives aninstruction to rotate the first image or the second image by therotation menus 421, 422 in the imposition setting screen 400 and theprocessor 21 accepts the rotation instruction via the function of theacceptance unit 213 (rotate in step S115), the processor 21 rotates theimage according to the instruction by the angle according to theinstruction (S120). The processor 21 then determines whether therotation changes the image from a vertically long image to ahorizontally long image or from a horizontally long image to avertically long image, or not. When the image changes from a verticallylong image to a horizontally long image or from a horizontally longimage to a vertically long image (Y in step S125), the processor 21reduces or enlarges the image so that the image after the rotation isarranged within the area where the image before the rotation is arranged(S130). The processor 21 subsequently shifts the processing to stepS115. Meanwhile, when the rotation does not change the image from avertically long image to a horizontally long image or from ahorizontally long image to a vertically long image (N in step S125), theprocessor 21 shifts the processing to step S115 without reducing orenlarging the image.

It is now assumed that a margin width is set in the margin setting area430 in the imposition setting screen 400. In this case, the processor 21accepts a margin change instruction via the function of the acceptanceunit 213 (change margin in step S115) and changes at least one of theposition and size of the image via the function of the generation unit214 (S140).

When an OK button 440 is pressed in the imposition setting screen 400and a print button, not illustrated, is pressed, the processor 21accepts a print instruction via the function of the acceptance unit 213.On accepting the print instruction (print in step S115), the processor21 generates print data of a label that is set in the imposition settingscreen 400, and transmits the print data to the printer 10 via thecommunication unit 23 (S150). The label generation processing is thuscompleted.

(3) Second Embodiment

The label generation system 1 according to a second embodiment will nowbe described mainly in terms of its difference from the label generationsystem according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the overallconfiguration of the label generation system 1 according to the secondembodiment. In the label generation system 1 according to the secondembodiment, an orientation decision table 221 is stored in thenon-volatile memory 22 of the information processing device 20. FIG. 8schematically shows the data configuration of the orientation decisiontable 221. In the orientation decision table 221, two attachmentsurfaces of the label attachment target object and an orientation of afirst image and a second image in the initial state are stored inassociation with each other.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, a combination of two side surfaces thatare next to each other of the label attachment target object 40 isassociated with an orientation such that the downward direction in boththe first image and the second image coincides with the direction of theshort side of the label. A combination of the top surface and a sidesurface or a combination of the bottom surface and a side surface isassociated with an orientation such that the downward direction in thefirst image and the second image coincides with the direction of thelong side of the label. For example, when two side surfaces are used asattachment surfaces, the label is attached in such a way that the longside of the label is perpendicular to the up-down direction in the labelattachment target object 40 as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the downwarddirection in the image allocated to the label may coincide with theup-down direction in the label attachment target object 40. Thus, inthis embodiment, the combination of two side surfaces is associated withan orientation of the image such that the downward direction in thelabel and the downward direction in the image coincide with each other.

When the top surface and a side surface are used, the label 30 isattached in such a way that the up-down direction in the side surfaceand the long side of the label are parallel to each other, and the label30 is also attached to the top surface, as shown in FIG. 9. In thiscase, to make the downward direction in the image and the up-downdirection in the label attachment target object coincide with eachother, the downward direction in the image needs to coincide with thedirection of the long side of the label. Thus, in this embodiment, thecombination of the top surface and a side surface is associated with anorientation of the image such that the horizontal direction in the labeland the downward direction in the image coincide with each other.

The acceptance unit 213 in the processor 21 of the informationprocessing device 20 according to the second embodiment also accepts adesignation of a first surface and a second surface to attach a label.The processor 21 also has the function of an orientation decision unit215 in addition to the functions of the processor 21 according to thefirst embodiment. The orientation decision unit 215 is a function ofdeciding an orientation of a first image and a second image allocated toa label. When two attachment surfaces are designated in response to auser operation, the processor 21 decides an orientation of each image,based on the combination of the two designated attachment surfaces, thatis, based on the positional relationship. Specifically, the processor 21refers to the orientation decision table 221 and thus decides theorientation of the two images associated with the two attachmentsurfaces designated in response to the user operation, as theorientation of each image. The generation unit 214 generates a sampleimage showing each of the first image and the second image in theorientation decided by the orientation decision unit 215, and the firstsurface and the second surface, in association with each other.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a surface designation screen 500. Thesurface designation screen 500 is a screen for accepting a designationof a surface to attach a label. A user selects two surfaces that arenext to each other from among six surfaces in total, that is, surfaces511, 512, 513 and the other three surfaces, not illustrated, of a labelattachment target object 510 shown in the surface designation screen500. In response to this, the processor 21 accepts a designation of afirst attachment surface and a second attachment surface to which alabel is attached, via the function of the acceptance unit 213. Theprocessor 21 can rotate the label attachment target object 510 shown inFIG. 10 in a virtual three-dimensional space in response to a useroperation. This enables the other three surfaces not shown in FIG. 10 tobe displayed on the display unit.

The processor 21 then decides an orientation of each of the first imageallocated to the first surface and the second image allocated to thesecond surface, of the label, based on the positional relationshipbetween the two attachment surfaces via the function of the orientationdecision unit 215. For example, it is now assumed that the surface 511and the surface 512 are selected as attachment surfaces in the surfacedesignation screen 500 shown in FIG. 10. In this case, an orientationsuch that the downward direction in the image and the direction of theshort side of the label coincide with each other is decided to beemployed, based on the orientation decision table 221. In this way, inthe orientation decision table 221, an orientation of the imageallocated to each surface is set in advance for each combination of twoattachment surfaces. This enables automatic decision of the orientationof the image when two attachment surfaces are designated.

As described above, in the label generation system 1 according to thesecond embodiment, when an attachment surface to attach a label isdesignated, the information processing device 20 can automaticallyadjusts the orientation of the image and display a sample image in theadjusted state.

(4) Label Generation Processing According to Second Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing label generation processing by theinformation processing device 20. In response to a user operation, theprocessor 21 of the information processing device 20 accepts adesignation of an image to be displayed as a label, via the function ofthe acceptance unit 213 (S200). Next, the processor 21 displays thesurface designation screen 500 via the function of the displayprocessing unit 212 (S205). Next, the processor 21 accepts a designationof two attachment surfaces that are next to each other, via the functionof the acceptance unit 213 (S210). The processor 21 then decides anorientation of the two images allocated to the respective attachmentsurfaces, based on the positional relationship between the twoattachment surfaces accepted in step S210, via the function of theorientation decision unit 215 (S215).

Next, the processor 21 generates a sample image where the first imageand the second image in the orientation decided in step S215 areallocated to the first surface and the second surface, respectively, viathe function of the generation unit 214 (S220). At this point, when theimage is adjusted to a horizontally long image to a vertically longimage or from a vertically long image to a horizontally long image, theprocessor 21 reduces the image at a predetermined rate of reduction. Theprocessor 21 then displays the imposition setting screen 400 includingthe sample image (S225). The processor 21 subsequently accepts a useroperation (S115). The processing from step S115 onward is similar to theprocessing from step S115 onward in the first embodiment described withreference to FIG. 6.

(5) Third Embodiment

A label generation system according to a third embodiment will now bedescribed mainly in terms of its difference from the label generationsystem according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 shows the overallconfiguration of the label generation system 1 according to the thirdembodiment. In the label generation system according to the thirdembodiment, the processor 21 of the information processing device 20also functions as a letter string adjustment unit 216 in addition to thefunctions of the processor 21 in the first embodiment. In thisembodiment, an image allocated to a label is an image acquired bydrawing a code of a letter string of text data.

The letter string adjustment unit 216 is a function of deciding whethera letter string drawn in each image allocated to a label is verticallyarranged or horizontally arranged. The processor 21 performs thefollowing processing via the function of the letter string adjustmentunit 216. For example, a case where a horizontally long image includinga horizontally arranged letter string, like an image 701 shown in FIG.13, is adjusted by rotation into a vertically long image like an image702 and allocated to a label in this way, is considered. In this case,the letter string in the image 701 may not fit within the horizontalwidth of the image 702. Thus, when a horizontally long image including ahorizontally arranged letter string is adjusted into a vertically longimage, the processor 21 adjusts the direction of the letter string fromhorizontal to vertical as in an image 703. Similarly, when a verticallylong image including a vertically arranged letter string is adjusted byrotation into a horizontally long image, the processor 21 adjusts thedirection of the letter string from vertical to horizontal.Specifically, the processor 21 adjusts the orientation of the letterstring and the direction of arrangement of the letter string inPostScript data of text data, that is, drawing data.

When changing the image allocated to the label from a horizontally longimage to a vertically long image in step S130 in the label generationprocessing described with reference to FIG. 6, the processor 21 in thisembodiment adjusts the letter string into a vertical arrangement insteadof reducing the image. Meanwhile, when changing the image allocated tothe label from a vertically long image to a horizontally long image instep S130, the processor 21 adjusts the letter string into a horizontalarrangement instead of reducing the image.

In this way, in the third embodiment, the processor 21 changes thedirection of the letter string via the function of the letter stringadjustment unit 216 but does not reduce the font size. Therefore, a dropin the visibility of the letter string can be prevented.

(6) Other Embodiments

The foregoing embodiments are examples for embodying the presentdisclosure. Various other embodiments can be employed. For example, theprocessor 11 of the printer 10 may have the functions of the processor21 of the information processing device 20, and the processor 11 mayadjust the orientation, position and size of the image allocated to thelabel and may display the sample image.

In the embodiments, the sample image is a planar image corresponding tothe label. However, in another example, the information processingdevice 20 may display an image of the label in the state of beingattached to the label attachment target object, as the sample image.This enables the user to check the orientation of the image in relationto the label attachment target object.

The label attachment target object may be any solid object having aplurality of surfaces and is not limited to an object in the shape of arectangular parallelepiped. The label attachment target object may be,for example, a cube, cylinder or the like.

The recording medium on which the label is printed may be any recordingmedium that can be attached to the label attachment target object. Therecording medium may be, for example, a recording paper, sticker paper,rolled paper or the like of a predetermined size. When a recordingmedium that is not coated with a pasting agent is used, the user mayapply a pasting agent to attach the label to the label attachment targetobject.

In the embodiments, the label is attached to two continuous surfaces.However, the number of attachment surfaces is not limited to the numberemployed in the embodiment, and the label may be attached to a pluralityof continuous surfaces. For example, when the label is attached to threecontinuous attachment surfaces, the information processing device 20 canadjust the orientation of each image allocated to each attachmentsurface.

In the embodiments, an example case where two images allocated to thelabel are different images is described. However, the two imagesallocated to the label may be the same images. In this case, too, theorientation of each image can be independently changed.

In the embodiments, an example case where a horizontally long image isallocated along the horizontal direction in the label is described.However, in another example, two vertically long images 51, 52 may beallocated along the horizontal direction in a label 50, as shown in FIG.14.

The angle by which each image included in the label can be rotated isnot limited to the angles described in the embodiments. In anotherexample, the image may be rotatable by an arbitrary angle other than 0,90, 180, and 270 degrees. This provides a label on which an image isprinted at an angle as desired by the user.

The information processing device 20 may adjust at least one of theposition and size of two images according to a designation of a marginwidth, and the specific processing for this is not limited to theprocessing described in the embodiments. When the image is provided witha blank, the blank may be trimmed to secure a margin width. In otherwords, the margin width may be set as including the width of the blank.For example, when the margin width is set to 10.0 mm and each of the twoimages is provided with a 5.00-mm blank, the margin width of 10.0 mm maybe set as including this blank.

With respect to changing the margin, the information processing device20 may accept information about the radius or the like of a curvedsurface between the two attachment surfaces of the label attachmenttarget object from the user and may automatically calculate the marginwidth, based on the radius of the curved surface. For example, theinformation processing device 20 may find the circumference from theradius of the curved surface and may set the value of ¼ of thecircumference as the margin width.

According to the present disclosure, the foregoing system can also beapplied as a program executed by a computer or as a method. The system,program, and method may be implemented as a single device or by using acomponent provided in a plurality of devices, and include variousaspects. Also, various suitable changes can be made, such asimplementation in part by software and in part by hardware. Moreover,the foregoing technique may be implemented as a recording medium storinga program controlling the system. The recording medium storing theprogram may be a magnetic recording medium or semiconductor memory, andany recording medium to be developed in the future can similarly apply.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing device comprising:circuitry configured to: generate a sample image showing each of a firstsurface and a second surface that are next to each other of a labelattachment target object having a plurality of surfaces, and a firstimage and a second image allocated to the first surface and the secondsurface, respectively, in association with each other, wherein the labelattachment target object is a rectangular parallelepiped; controldisplay of a print setting screen for a printer printing a label,wherein the print setting screen includes the sample image; accept adesignation of the first surface and the second surface from among sixsurfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped in response to a useroperation; decide an orientation of the first image allocated to thefirst surface and the second image allocated to the second surface,based on a positional relationship between the first surface and thesecond surface that are designated; and generate the sample image wherethe first image and the second image are allocated in the decidedorientation.
 2. The information processing device according to claim 1,wherein the circuitry is further configured to control display of therectangular parallelepiped, and accept the designation of the firstsurface and the second surface from among the six surfaces of therectangular parallelepiped in response to the user operation to therectangular parallelepiped that is displayed.
 3. The informationprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein at least one image ofthe first image and the second image is an image showing a letter stringdrawn from text data, and the circuitry is further configured to adjustdrawing data of the image in such a way that the letter string of thetext data is vertically arranged when the at least one image is avertically long image, whereas the letter string of the text data ishorizontally arranged when the at least one image is a horizontally longimage.
 4. The information processing device according to claim 1,wherein the circuitry is further configured to: accept a designation ofa margin width between the first surface and the second surface; andchange at least one of a position and a size of the first image and thesecond image allocated to the first surface and the second surface,according to the designation of the margin width.
 5. The informationprocessing device according to claim 4, wherein when at least one of thefirst image and the second image is provided with a blank, the circuitryis further configured to generate the sample image, assuming that themargin width whose designation is accepted includes the blank.
 6. Aninformation processing method executed by an information processingdevice, the method comprising: generating a sample image showing each ofa first surface and a second surface that are next to each other of alabel attachment target object having a plurality of surfaces, and afirst image and a second image allocated to the first surface and thesecond surface, respectively, in association with each other, whereinthe label attachment target object is a rectangular parallelepiped;controlling display of a print setting screen for a printer printing alabel, wherein the print setting screen includes the sample image;accepting a designation of the first surface and the second surface fromamong six surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped in response to auser operation; deciding an orientation of the first image allocated tothe first surface and the second image allocated to the second surface,based on a positional relationship between the first surface and thesecond surface that are designated; and generating the sample imagewhere the first image and the second image are allocated in the decidedorientation.
 7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium havingstored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed bya computer, cause the computer to execute operations, the operationscomprising: generating a sample image showing each of a first surfaceand a second surface that are next to each other of a label attachmenttarget object having a plurality of surfaces, and a first image and asecond image allocated to the first surface and the second surface,respectively, in association with each other, wherein the labelattachment target object is a rectangular parallelepiped; controllingdisplay of a print setting screen for a printer printing a label,wherein the print setting screen including the sample image; accepting adesignation of the first surface and the second surface from among sixsurfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped in response to a useroperation; deciding an orientation of the first image allocated to thefirst surface and the second image allocated to the second surface,based on a positional relationship between the first surface and thesecond surface that are designated; and generating the sample imagewhere the first image and the second image are allocated in the decidedorientation.